Kom is a Kuki-Chin language of India. Kohlreng is usually considered a dialect of Kom, but may be a distinct language. Speakers of Kom live in the hilly provinces of Northeastern India. The dialect of Manipur has at least partial mutual intelligibility with the other Kuki-Chin dialects of the area, including Thadou, Hmar, Vaiphei, Simte, Paite, and Gangte languages. Aimol, Koireng and Chiru speakers also understand Kom.
Geographical distribution
Speakers of Kom are found in the northeastern Indian states of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, and Tripura. The majority of the population lives in eastern and central Manipur, concentrated in 22 villages located in Churachandpur district, Tamenglong district, Senapati district, and Bishenpur district (Ethnologue). In Devi (2011:81), these 22 villages are listed as Sinam Kom, Theiyong Kom, Laikot Kom, Ichum Kom, Kom Keirap, Khoirentak, Sagang, Luikhumbi, Lallumbung, Mantak, Tuiringkhaison, Samulamlan, Chinglanmei, Bungsalane, Lananphai, Ngairong, Mungrushi, Sambangyan, Tonsen tampak, and Khulen.
Devi (2011:80) lists some important Kom villages and localities as:
- Makokching, Saikul, and Sinam-Kom of Senapati District
- K.R. Lane of Imphal
- National Game village of Imphal
- Kharam, Ichum of Imphal West District
- Thayong of Imphal East District
- Sengpanjar, Kangathai, Khoirentak, and Kom-keirap of Bishnupur District
- Greater Sagang of Churachandpur District
- Tonsen and Mahou-tera of Chandel District
- Mantak of Kakching and Chandel districts
Phonology
Kom is a tonal language with three tones.
Similarities
Although Kom language is a kuki chin language it share the most similarities with one of the Naga tribe called “INPUI”. Both share several similarities from verb to nouns etc. Example Bu is refer to Food in Kom similarly Inpui also used the same.
- some others examples
- Kom- Hongtro (come here)
- Inpui- Hongo (come)
- Kom- Ongtro (sit down)
- Inpui- Ongtawo (sit down)